The plea deal should keep Loughner behind bars for life, but saves him from a potential death penalty had he been convicted at trial.

Giffords and her husband, astronaut Mike Kelly, released a statement in support of the deal:

The pain and loss caused by the events of January 8, 2011 are incalculable. Avoiding a trial will allow us -- and we hope the whole Southern Arizona community -- to continue with our recovery and move forward with our lives.